Dear Readers, There is no greater reward for finishing your finals than winter break. Being able to celebrate the holidays, take a deep breath of relief and spend time with your loved ones makes all the hard work worth it. Fall semester is a tough one, especially since it turns into winter semester very quickly. Make sure you get in some rest and relaxation over break so you’re prepared for when spring semester, which is really still winter semester, rolls around.

The issue we put together for the end of the semester is always a difficult one. All of our U Times staff are busy with finals and prepping for the holidays while also producing content for the paper. It’s a difficult balance but they do it so well and they deserve a big thank you. The best way to thank our great writers is to be great readers. Take time out of your break to sit down and read the stories they’ve written,. I promise they’ll be worth every word.

For the second year in a row, UMPI has seen a huge rise in enrollment. Enrollment jumped 10.4 percent between fall 2017 and fall 2018, the biggest enrollment increase in the U Maine System.

“I am very pleased that we’ve seen a double digit increase over the past two years at UMPI,” UMPI President Raymond Rice said. “What’s important is that those increases come from the variety of populations we serve.” Continue reading “UMPI Enrollment Soars Up 10 Percent”

Not decided on a major yet? Data estimate that 30 percent of Maine’s teachers are eligible to retire in the next five years, and more than 70 physical education teaching positions will be available.

Facing the future shortage, the University of Maine at Presque Isle is providing a couple of different options in the physical education program to support all people who are interesting in the physical area: non-teaching careers in fitness, wellness and even recreation. Also, the physical education program prepares for future careers’ direction: physical education teacher, health educator, personal trainer, community recreation specialist and wellness coach. Adding the minor in physical education is also another option that is good for making your resume stand out from the crowd. Continue reading “Good Future Pathway”

Official statistics show that the percentage of China’s population who are Christians is only 1 percent, but an increasing number of Chinese people join the Christmas celebration family now because Christmas always brings with it enjoyment, fun, harmony, peace and color to surround people in the drab winter season. China also celebrates Christmas to meet together with friends, relatives and couples. Continue reading “Christmas in China”

My strongest memories of the holiday season, like many people’s, are ones of traditions or their interruptions. My brother and I looked forward to Christmas Eve service, held in a gigantic Cathedral-like Congregationalist church built of brick and stone with a steeple more like a Gothic tower than a New England spire, as much for the fact that it signaled presents would soon be opened as it was the one time a year we could hold a lit candle and not get in trouble. Years later, when I attended that same service, this time as an adult with my own family, it was almost as if I were returned to childhood, to my son’s age, only with a forward-looking memory leap-frogging through time, past high school and college and my first teaching jobs and marriage and a family of my own in which I now became my own parent, nervously allowing my son to hold and light a candle against the darkness of that great, vaulted ceiling. Continue reading “Holiday Celebrations and Thanks”

On Jan. 1, 2019, NASA’s New Horizons space probe will pass by Ultima Thule. Ultima Thule may sound like a robot from the Transformers movies, but in actuality, it is a Kuiper Belt asteroid orbiting the sun at a distance of four billion miles. What makes Ultima Thule so special is that it is the second member of the Kuiper Belt (the solar system’s second asteroid belt) to be visited by the New Horizons space probe. The first was the dwarf planet Pluto. Continue reading “Happy New Year from Ultima Thule”

Hailey Boyle in the Middle with Violet Washburn, Bethnay MacPherson and Roni Shaw from the SAO office.

What is your definition of comedy? If you find this question difficult to answer, then you should have been at the Hailey Boyle show this past Nov. 15. Hailey made her second appearance at UMPI, and just as with her first visit, through her spicy humor and temperament, she was able once more to make UMPI laugh. Hailey’s comedy is very particular and through her jokes about the sexes, her personal life and other topics about everyday life problems, she was able to captivate the audience’s love and attention. Originally from Fairbanks, Alaska, she has a great comedy record, with her most recent distinction being named one of New York’s top 10 funniest comics at The New York Comedy Festival. Continue reading “Did Somebody Mention Comedy?”

When December comes around, Mexicans all around the world begin to celebrate Christmas in a very special way. With delicious food, beautiful poinsettias and bright lights, people embrace their Mexican heritage through traditions celebrated with their family and friends. People gather to cook delicious food, decorate their houses, sing Christmas carols and spend quality time with their loved ones for this special time of the year. Mexican culture is rarely seen in northern Maine, but when it is seen, it is proudly represented. At UMPI, there are many Mexican students and it is important that they are all represented. Continue reading “Celebrating Christmas in Mexico”

The holidays are approaching fast and Gentile Hall has the perfect gift ideas for your family and friends. You can purchase a Gentile Hall gift certificate or a fitness class punch card! Perfect stocking stuffers for your loved ones! Also, don’t forget about our bookstore in the Campus Center. It has some wonderful gift ideas for family and friends. Another perfect stocking stuffer is a Starbucks gift card. Starbucks is located in the Campus Center, as well. Continue reading “Happy Holidays from Gentile Hall!!”